General Motors is recalling more than 20,000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks from the 2020 model year because of faulty brakes that could potentially fail. According to Consumer Reports, bolts that secure the brake calipers, which grab the brake rotors to slow or stop the vehicle, may not have been manufactured correctly and could break. Consumer Reports states that a supplier who provides the bolts that fasten the brake clippers on these trucks made a change in the manufacturing process without approval from GM.
Details of the Recall
Internal investigations conducted by GM and the supplier found that the bolts could potentially break under heavy loads. If this happens, the caliper may fall off and interfere with the wheel rotation, and/or make it harder to stop the vehicle. Both of these defects could cause a car accident.
GM has said they haven’t received reports of crashes or injuries because of this issue. When the recall begins in April, GM will repair any affected vehicles free of charge and vehicles still on dealer lots will be repaired before they are sold. Consumer Reports also recommends visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website and entering your vehicle identification number or VIN to find out if your vehicle is included in this recall.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Brake defects are extremely serious because they could potentially result in a serious auto accident that affects not only the occupants of the vehicle but others on the roadway such as bicyclists and pedestrians. When a vehicle’s brakes aren’t working properly, the driver may not be able to slow down or stop the vehicle. In some cases, malfunctioning brakes could cause the vehicle to jerk or stop unexpectedly. When the brakes pull to one side, a vehicle could even go off its lane or cross into oncoming traffic. Any one of these scenarios could result in a devastating accident and/or injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a vehicle defect. In that case, you may be able to file an auto product liability lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, and pain and suffering. An experienced auto defect attorney will be able to advise victims regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra-recalled-brakes-may-break/
